Social Studies
Parent Information Night
September 13, 2022
About Maria….
Mom, Wife, Educator, Sister, Daughter, Friend
Learner, Questioner, Servant Leader, Reflective Practitioner
Music Lover, Organizer, Hallmark Movie Junkie, Love Bubble wrap, Stress eater (especially sweets)
Merton Resident 16 Years, 11 Years C&I, 2nd Year at Merton
Tonight’s Agenda
Questions
Merton’s Curriculum Cycle
DPI Standards Review Timeline
DPI Standards Rollout
Social Studies Released in May 2018- Assessed on Forward in Spring 2022
Merton’s Cycle- Updated 8.21
As part of the District’s ongoing curriculum review cycle, each curricular area is reviewed by a committee and recommendations from that committee are brought to Student Achievement of the School Board and to the Board every five years.
In September 2021, Social Studies began their work and on March 14, 2022 submitted our report to the SA Board and Full Board.
How does the cycle impact curriculum?
Merton’s Board Policy Updates
Highlights:
Merton’s Board Policy Updates
Curriculum Development Policy/Rule- 7040
This outlines how the District Administration needs to carry out a curriculum renewal and adoption cycle and corresponding curriculum documents.
Instructional Materials Policy/Rule
Core Materials- Board approved and print (EnVisions math) and nonprint (Social Studies) through the curriculum development process.
District Supplementary- Used mostly in the entirety and purchased with District funds (Intervention resources, Sonday) to enhance classroom instruction or meet student needs. This does not include Ed-Tech.
Merton’s Board Policy Updates
Instructional Materials Policy/Rule
Teacher Materials- any instructional or assessment materials created or acquired by the teacher does NOT need pre-approval BUT if it becomes a core or regularly used please consult with an instructional specialist and/or Maria. Each teacher is responsible for their decisions.
Includes: online applications, digital programs, media, audio books, electronic databases, online resources, digitally downloaded materials
Needs approval- Why? FERPA/COPPA and CIPA compliant. Even teacher only use requires terms of service or agreements. We make sure it does not violate Merton’s nondiscrimination policy. Teachers are ultimately responsible.
Of all school factors that impact school and student achievement, the primary factor in determining whether or not a school is successful in helping all students meet high standards is whether or not that school has a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
It is ranked NUMBER 1 school factor that as having the most impact on student achievement.
(pg. 19 What works in Schools: Translating Research into Action)
What is a curriculum?
A “guaranteed” curriculum is often defined as a mechanism through which all students have an equal opportunity (time and access) to learn rigorous content.
This requires a school-wide (or district-wide) agreement and common understanding of the essential content that all students need to know, understand, and be able to do. A guaranteed curriculum gives all children an opportunity to learn essential content, and to provide this opportunity, curricular materials and instructional approaches must be grounded in research, implemented with fidelity, and must include vertical as well as horizontal alignment.
Retrieved from Mcrel on 12.10.21
Guaranteed
For a curriculum to be “viable,” there must be adequate time for teachers to teach the content and for students to learn the content. A viable curriculum eliminates the supplementary or “nice to know” content.
A GVC represents the core non-negotiables of student learning. It’s what schools and teachers commit to providing for all students.
Viable
It is the process of teachers collaboratively building shared knowledge and collectively making decisions about curriculum and assessment that results in adult learning and improved professional practice.
(pg. 92 Learning by Doing)
Curriculum is a PROCESS
Social Studies Instructional Resources
Instructional Resources
These instructional resources have been reviewed per our District policy 7041. This policy explicitly states that Merton curriculum shall not promote or advocate for the following:
Inquiry Journeys (K-6)
Inquiry Journeys is a digital resource that only teachers have access to. Materials in this resource are copywritten by the publisher. There are resources and lessons that are part of Inquiry Journeys that we would not be utilizing. Inquiry Journeys allows districts to customize the platform for teachers to reflect district guidance, including notes regarding lessons and materials that will not be used, and the removal of lessons.
Discovery Techbook (7-8)
Our seventh and eighth grade core resource has not changed. Merton will continue to use Discovery Techbook. Discovery Education's Social Studies Techbook is a resource that uses an inquiry-based approach to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills, allowing students to approach inquiry through the 5Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate. Merton studies American History at this level where this comprehensive digital textbook takes concepts off the pages and brings lessons to life.
What can parents/guardians expect?
Transparency in Instructional Resources K-6
What can parents/guardians expect?
Transparency in Instructional Resources 7-8
In grades 7-8, all lessons are posted to the social studies teacher's google classroom and can be accessed for parent/guardians throughout the school year.
As we move forward with our Social Studies staggered implementation, we will be posting similar unit materials as K-6.
Teaching Controversial Issues/Current Events
The primary role of school is to ensure that we are not telling our students WHAT to think, but HOW to think. Critical thinking is an essential skill to develop in our students.
Staff is directed to use a decision making matrix and process to teach these areas. This was a Student Achievement Committee Agenda item on December 20, 2021.
Teaching Controversial Issues or Current Events Decision Making Matrix
Curriculum Review Process- What’s Next?
Questions & Contact Information
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